Fire Broke Out on India's Only Aircraft Carrier, INS Vikramaditya Off The Karnataka Coast

India’s only aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya caught fire on Wednesday during a preplanned sortie for conducting sea trials off Karwar in Karnataka. A naval spokesperson reported that the fire came in control with efforts from the ship’s crew and with the help of onboard systems. No casualties were reported.

A board of inquiry has been ordered to examine the incident, a tweet by the Indian Navy mentioned.

The spokesperson said that the $2.3 billion warship continues to be off the coast and will be brought into the harbor. The quantum of damages is still unknown.

The aircraft carrier came to India from Russia in 2014 (January). It was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2013 (November) in Russia’s Severodvinsk and is now based in Karwar in Karnataka. The air wing comprises MiG 29K fighter jets and Kamov helicopters.

INS Vikramaditya measures about 284 meters in length and 60 meters in height, almost close to a 20-story building. The ship weighs approximately 40,000 tonnes and is the heaviest and biggest vessel in the Indian Navy.

References: Mint, India.com